Average

#280 of 574 schools in SD

Top 49% in state

Willow Lake Middle School - 03

Middle School · Willow Lake School District 12-3

PO Box 170, Willow Lake, SD 57278

Last updated: July 2026

Enrollment

Student-Teacher

21:1

Score

6.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Enrollment

Student-Teacher

21:1

Score

6.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage
2022-23

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

South Dakota schools

#280 of 574

In Willow Lake

#4 of 4

public schools

In district

#4 of 4

Willow Lake School District 12-3

Academic growth

8.1 / 10

Excellent

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Middle School in Willow Lake · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

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About Willow Lake Middle School - 03

Willow Lake Middle School - 03 is a public middle school in Willow Lake, SD, part of Willow Lake School District 12-3. Willow Lake Middle School - 03 serves approximately 63 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 21:1 student-teacher ratio. Willow Lake Middle School - 03 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks #280 of 574 schools in SD.

Structured state assessment records for Willow Lake Middle School - 03 show 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.4 pts above SD schools

6.4

This school 6.4 · Average
SD avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

At 63 students, Willow Lake Middle School - 03 is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Willow Lake Middle School - 03 runs 21:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Willow Lake Middle School - 03 sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics

Student Progress8.1Excellent40%

Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.

View breakdown

Years of Data13

Annual Change-1.56 pts/yr

Data Period2009–2022

TrendDeclining

Academics6.9Average35%

Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.

View breakdown

Math Proficiency44.5% (2022 EdFacts)

Reading/ELA Proficiency54.5% (2022 EdFacts)

Overall Proficiency50% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)

Expected (poverty-adj.)45% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)

vs. Expected+4.1 pts

Adjusted Percentile55th

Resources & Environment2.9Needs Improvement25%

Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.

View breakdown

Student-Teacher Ratio21:1

Per-Pupil Spending$11,529

Chronic Absenteeism11.1%

Willow Lake Middle School - 03 — Students at Willow Lake Middle School - 03 score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

34.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 49.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)

School

State

N/A

ELA Proficiency 60.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)

School

State

N/A

Based on 26 test records from SD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009

Math

69.5%

ELA

69.5%

2010

Math

69.5%

ELA

49.5%

2011

Math

54.5%

ELA

54.5%

2012

Math

84.5%

ELA

64.5%

2014

Math

49.5%

ELA

49.5%

2015

Math

54.5%

ELA

74.5%

2016

Math

24.5%

ELA

64.5%

2017

Math

54.5%

ELA

64.5%

2018

Math

34.5%

ELA

54.5%

2019

Math

34.5%

ELA

54.5%

2020*

Math

34.5%

ELA

64.5%

2021*

Math

34.5%

ELA

64.5%

2022

Math

44.5%

ELA

54.5%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.1/10.

How Willow Lake Middle School - 03 Compares

See how Willow Lake Middle School - 03 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score

6.4/10

51th percentile in SD

Academic

6.9/10

Average

Growth

8.1/10

Excellent

Environment

2.9/10

Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch

Students eligible for subsidized meals

35%

Teaching Staff

21:1 student-teacher ratio

3 teachers

Chronic Absenteeism

Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)

11.1%

Location

PO Box 170, Willow Lake, SD 57278

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Willow Lake Middle School - 03 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. De Smet Middle School - 03 (rated 4.5/10, 17.3 miles away, in nearby De Smet), a more accessible option. Another option is Iroquois Middle School - 02 (rated 4.4/10, 21.0 miles away, in nearby Iroquois), a more accessible option. Additionally, Henry Middle School - 03 (rated 4.1/10, 19.5 miles away, in nearby Henry), a more accessible option. For more schools in Willow Lake, see our Willow Lake schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 21.0 mi

School	Distance	Enrollment	Rating
Willow Lake Elementary - 02 Willow Lake	0.0 mi	150	6.4
Willow Lake High School - 01 Willow Lake	0.0 mi	56	7.9
Mayfield Colony Elementary - 04 Willow Lake	5.5 mi	32	6.9
Collins Colony Elementary - 06 Willow Lake	6.4 mi	16	—
Silver Lake Colony - 07 Clark	16.5 mi	20	—
De Smet High School - 01 De Smet	17.3 mi	90	7.7
De Smet Middle School - 03 De Smet	17.3 mi	86	4.5
Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 De Smet	17.4 mi	178	6.9
SUNNY PLAINS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Iroquois	15.0 mi	33	5.4
Clark Elementary - 02 Clark	18.0 mi	213	5.7
Clark High School - 01 Clark	18.1 mi	102	6.5
Clark Middle School - 03 Clark	18.1 mi	87	3.5
Fordham Colony Elementary - 04 Carpenter	16.4 mi	42	2.3
Henry Elementary - 02 Henry	19.5 mi	93	4.5
Henry High School - 01 Henry	19.5 mi	54	6.1
Henry Middle School - 03 Henry	19.5 mi	53	4.1
Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05 Garden City	21.9 mi	32	3.0
Shamrock Colony Elementary - 05 Willow Lake	15.7 mi	21	—
Iroquois High School - 01 Iroquois	21.0 mi	49	5.9
Iroquois Middle School - 02 Iroquois	21.0 mi	44	4.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 57278 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$65,938

Median Home Value

$202,700

Median Rent

$745/mo

Population

1,082

College Educated

21.7%

Homeownership

78.7%

Poverty Rate

6.6%

Median Age

22.7

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School	Enrollment	Rating
Alcester-Hudson Jr. High - 03 Alcester, SD	49	6.4
Highmore Jr. High - 03 Highmore, SD	43	6.4
Miller Jr. High - 04 Miller, SD	56	6.5
Colman-Egan Jr. High - 02 Colman, SD	43	6.3
Ipswich Middle School - 04 Ipswich, SD	79	6.6
Deubrook Jr. High - 02 White, SD	42	6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Willow Lake Middle School - 03

What grades does Willow Lake Middle School - 03 serve?

Willow Lake Middle School - 03 serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Willow Lake Middle School - 03?

Willow Lake Middle School - 03 has an enrollment of approximately 63 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Willow Lake Middle School - 03?

The student-teacher ratio at Willow Lake Middle School - 03 is 21:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Willow Lake Middle School - 03 rank in SD?

Willow Lake Middle School - 03 ranks #280 of 574 schools in SD.

What is Willow Lake Middle School - 03's MySchoolScout rating?

Willow Lake Middle School - 03 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Willow Lake Middle School - 03?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Willow Lake Middle School - 03 has 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Willow Lake Middle School - 03 a charter school?

No, Willow Lake Middle School - 03 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Willow Lake Middle School - 03 a Title I school?

No, Willow Lake Middle School - 03 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Willow Lake Middle School - 03?

34.9% of students at Willow Lake Middle School - 03 qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.